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The beautiful city of Lisbon, known for its colorful tiles, picturesque hilly streets, and delicious pasteis de nata, is fortunately easy to explore in just 3 days!
While you will not see absolutely everything, 3 days in Lisbon offer plenty of time to leisurely explore the city. You can tick off the main attractions, while also allowing time for unique things to do in Lisbon, such as enjoying a vinho verde at a park’s kiosk or lounging at a local cafe.
My travel style tends to be slow by nature as I travel the world full-time with a circus show, spending anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months in each location. This gives me plenty of time to get to know the city at my own pace.
Even when booking one-week holidays during our time off, I like to bring the same slow travel approach I have year-round. Allowing time to be spent leisurely walking around the city, getting lost, finding coffee shops, and always looking for the best local food.
Luckily Lisbon is the perfect destination for a slow traveler, as is small enough that even 3 days are enough to see the main attractions without rushing, and with plenty of time to wander around the picturesque streets.
And if you are not a slow traveler by nature, believe me, those hills WILL make you want to slow down.
In this guide to things to do in Lisbon in 3 days, I will share with you how you can divide your 3 days to explore the main areas of the city at your own pace, the main sites to see, where to shop, eat, and drink, and some extra tips to make your trip to Lisbon as smooth as can be!
So get your comfy shoes ready, and let’s explore Lisbon!
Tips for visiting Lisbon:
Things to pack for 3 days in Lisbon:
- Comfortable shoes: And I mean comfortable. It’s not called the city of Seven Hills for nothing! Preferably something with a bit of grip. I was wearing a pair of flat sandals and I was sliding while going downhill on some of the steeper hills, so keep that in mind.
- Water bottle: Either bring a water bottle or buy some water bottles while walking around, but you will want to keep some on you at all times for a little hiking break.
- Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a year-round necessity, however, some areas of Lisbon have beautiful white stone pavement, which in the middle of the day work as a reflective surface, so better put that SPF on.
The best area to stay in Lisbon
After doing some research and considering that I wanted to avoid noisy and busy areas, I decided that for us, the best area to stay in Lisbon was somewhere close to Principe Real.
Principe Real offers a local feel of Lisbon while being a short distance away from the main city attractions.
It’s far enough that you don’t get the traffic from the main avenues, the noise from the city center, and the late-night music from areas like Bairro Alto. And close enough that nothing is more than a 20-minute walk.
How to have data in Portugal
To have data while traveling I love to use an e-SIM card, as is the easiest and fastest way to get data on the go. I have been using Airalo for more than a year now and is my go-to whenever we move to a new country with the circus tour, or visit a new country for holidays.
Planning tips for Lisbon
One of the main takeaways from this trip is that I should have definitely made dinner reservations in advance.
This is something I despise doing, only because I hate having a set plan for the day, I like being able to be spontaneous. However, while in Lisbon, this meant that I did not get to try the main restaurants I was excited to eat at.
So learn from my mistakes and definitely book those dinner slots weeks in advance!
Things to do in Lisbon in 3 days: A slow travel itinerary
Day 1: Baixa, Bairro Alto, and Principe Real
I think is better to always start at the heart of the city and see all the main sights a destination is known for, before going into the alternative items on the list.
That way, you are sure to not miss out on any must-see attractions and avoid running around the city on the last day of the trip, trying to tick items off your list—I have made that mistake way too many times before.
Portuguese breakfast at Castro-Atelier Pasteis de Nata
If you are anything like me, the absolute first thing you will want to do as soon as you step foot in Lisbon is to run and find a pastel de nata.
I have waited way too long for this moment, and I’m not waiting a second more.
In the name of starting our Lisbon itinerary in the city center, head over to the perfectly central location of Castro-Atelier Pasteis de Nata, right by the Santa Justa Lift, to devour your first pasteis de nata of the trip.
Castro is a newer addition to the pasteis-de-nata scene, and it was honestly my favorite one out of the ones I tried during my trip. However, I still recommend trying as many different ones in the city as possible to see how unique each recipe is.
This location is quite compact, cute, and modern. There is a bar inside with a few stools from where you can see the bakers at work, which I love to spy on.
They also have outdoor tables with the perfect view of the iconic Santa Justa Lift, so you really can’t go wrong!
- TIP: Skip the coffee, it is not great, and there’s is a much better coffee shop close by!
Morning exploring Baixa: Lisbon’s Historic Center
After devouring your body weight in pasteis de nata, is time to get to know the city, and the first stop is directly in front of you, the unmissable Santa Justa Lift.
This head-turning structure, designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel, is a functional urban lift that helps connect different street levels in this insanely hilly city.
If you would like to ride it you will have to be patient, as the lines can get quite long. Or if you are impatient like me, admiring from a distance is equally as rewarding, and there’s no line to wait for it.
From there you will want to leisurely walk along the Rua Augusta, a pedestrian street leading you up to the photogenic Arco da Rua Augusta, which will then open up into Lisbon’s main square, Praca do Comercio. All unmissable things to do in Lisbon in 3 days!
- TIP: If you want to make a quick coffee stop, Fabrica Coffee Roasters, just a few steps away from the Arco da Rua, is the place to go!
Right in front of Praca do Comercio you will find Cais das Colunas, a pair of 18th-century columns standing in the water where ships set off and arrived. You can still see the marble steps leading straight into the water.
Shopping Portuguese brands around Rue Garret
One thing I have learned the hard way after many many trips is that it is never too early on the trip to start shopping for souvenirs. And shopping around Rue Garret is one of the best areas of Lisbon to get unique, authentic, and even practical souvenirs.
One of the shops you won’t want to miss in this area is Livraria Bertrand, the oldest still-operating bookshop in the world. Getting a book at a local bookshop is one of my favorite souvenirs, especially when the bookshop has its own branded stamp to put in the first page, as Livraria Bertrand does.
Around the corner from this beautiful white and blue tiled bookshop, you will find A Vida Portuguesa, one of my favorite finds in Lisbon. A beautifully curated shop carrying all Portuguese brands, from textiles to ceramics to local delicacies, you will surely walk away with something from here.
Don’t miss Ceramicas na Linha, a ceramic shop a few steps away from A Vida Portuguesa, full of everything your heart desires, colorful organically shaped mugs, cute bowls, home accessories, and more.
Lunch at Lisboa Tu E Eu
If you are like me and don’t mind a little walk in the name of a good meal, then you will want to make your way to Lisboa Tu e Eu for lunch—it’s only a 15-minute walk, I told you Lisbon is quite compact.
Lisboa Tu e Eu is a grungy-looking popular restaurant, serving delicious traditional Portuguese dishes in a no-frills little establishment.
The unmissable things to try here are the sardines with potatoes and the flavor-packed garlic-fried shrimp—I’m still dreaming of those!
Afternoon exploring Bairro Alto
After lunch is time to make our way to the bohemian Bairro Alto. You might want to pick up a water bottle on the way there, and mentally prepare yourself for lots of uphill walking.
Bairro Alto might be known for coming alive at night with bars blasting music and Fado echoing through small establishments, but during the day the neighborhood is an interesting area to explore full of character, street art, and lots and lots of hills.
Stroll around the upscale Principe Real
After wandering the tight streets of Bairro Alto, make your way to one of my favorite and most underrated areas of Lisbon, Principe Real.
Principe Real is a slightly upscale area of Lisbon with a local feel, with the Principe Real Garden full of locals strolling by, or sitting at the local kiosk with a beer.
Around this quieter neighborhood, you will also find some boutique shops and local brands such as the natural skincare brand Benamor 1925, textile shop Stro, and the Portuguese-designer-focused shopping center, Embaixada.
Dinner and a drink at Jobim wine bar
I’m sure you will be exhausted after a full day of walking around, up and down—at least we were. So we ended the day early at the lively Jobim wine bar, for a nice glass of wine and a beer, to cheer on our first day in Lisbon!
We came across the Jobim wine bar while exploring Principe Real, and it immediately became one of my favorite finds during this trip due to the warm feel of the place, with locals mingling and catching up with friends.
And honestly, because a dog was walking around greeting customers. There was wine and dogs, it doesn’t get much better than that!
We ordered the tasty pão de queijo as a snack, and ended up moving somewhere else for dinner and regretted it.
So don’t make the same mistake we did and give their short but tempting menu a try. I wish we would have, as the place is small enough that it seems like they would put a lot of care into what they prepare. Proven by the delicious meaty cheesy dough balls we had.
And this I call the perfect slow travel way to finish a full first day of exploring beautiful Lisbon!
Day 2: Lisbon Center and Alfama
Portuguese breakfast at Mantegaira
Another morning in Lisbon means another tasty pasteis de nata for breakfast! And for day 2 I would recommend you try a different one, Manteigaira-Fabrica de Pasteis de Nata, a popular bakery in town.
Everywhere I looked, Manteigaira tends to be mentioned as the second favorite after Pasteis de Belem, but I will leave it up to you to be the judge.
Because what else is important to do in Lisbon in 3 days if is not to try as many pasteis de nata as possible?
To start the day in the city center you can visit the Manteigaria location in Rua de Augusta. If you are picky with your coffee, you can once again stop by Fabrica Coffee Roasters afterward.
Picnic prep at Conserveira de Lisboa
For the second day of our Lisbon itinerary, we will be exploring the historic neighborhood of Alfama. However, before we start hiking our way up there, you will want to stop at Conserveira de Lisboa.
Conserveria de Lisboa is a shop specializing in canned fish, a delicacy of Portugal and a very essential part of the country’s history and diet.
Why do we need to stop precisely now? To be ready to picnic later on when hunger strikes.
This was one of my favorite improvised activities we ended up doing during our 3 days in Lisbon, and it is such a special memory that I think is worth sharing with the group.
So pick a few cans of tasty seafood at Conserveira de Lisboa—our favorite ones were the sardines in spicy olive oil—and stop by a corner shop to buy some crostini, and maybe toothpicks to pick up the sardines, pack them in your bag and let’s get the day started!
Morning exploring the historic Alfama
Now we are ready to head over to Alfama neighborhood, where you will spend the day leisurely strolling its colorful and hilly streets. One of the unmissable things to do in Lisbon even during a short 3-day visit.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle, these hills are no joke!
This type of morning is my favorite kind of slow travel, just picking a neighborhood to spend hours in, walking around without a set plan, turning into any alley that catches my eye, and there are many cute ones here!
If you are still sore from exploring Bairro Alto the day before, you can always try to take the famous Tram 28, but I say try because the lines can get long, but you do you.
Picnic with a view at Miradouro de Santa Luzia
One of my favorite things we did in Lisbon was to pack our canned sardines, crostini, and cold drinks and bring them up to the picturesque Miradouro de Santa Luzia for the perfect picnic with a view.
To comfortably picnic make sure to stay on the lower level of the viewpoint, this area is significantly emptier than the top level.
After the lunch break make your way up to the main area to admire the beautiful surroundings of the viewpoint and the views from the edge of Miradouro de Santa Luzia.
Here you will find a manicured garden, a quintessentially Lisboan mural of white and blue tiles with a backdrop of vibrant bougainvillea, and of course the scenic view of the Tagus River.
One of the top attractions in Lisbon that is definitely worth fitting into your 3-day itinerary!
- TIP: If you are more organized than I am, you could book a table at the hyper-popular O Velho Eurico for lunch if you would rather have a proper sit-down lunch, or book it for dinner later that day.
Afternoon exploring more Alfama and Miradouro de Graca
After fueling up on sardines is time to keep exploring Alfama. Sadly, I bring bad news, is going to be more uphill, but the good news is that the views will be worth it!
So make your way up the hill to arrive at Igreja da Graca, the Church of Our Lady of Grace, and stop at the neighboring Miradouro de Graca to take in the panoramic view of the city with the Castelo de Sao Jorge in the back.
If making your way up there was another struggle—maybe I’m just immensely out of shape—there is a kiosk right at the viewpoint where you can grab a seat, a cold drink, and enjoy the view.
You can also make your way to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, or go down to Igreja de Sao Vicente de Fora, and simply get lost in the small alleys of this iconic Lisboan neighborhood and walk until your feet give up.
Drink with a view at Quiosque das Portas do Sol
Once you have covered most of the ground around Alfama, make your way back to arrive almost at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, but not quite.
Head to Quiosque das Portas do Sol to catch golden hour with a drink in hand.
This casual and relaxed kiosk provides the perfect location to romanticize the end of our second day in Lisbon, with a gorgeous view over the colorful houses of Alfama and the Tagus River. The perfect place to give your feet a rest and simply slow down.
We spent about an hour and a half here, enjoying the views, and even reading a little bit with a glass of wine in hand.
That is something I love about slow travel, taking small daily habits and mixing them with the trip. Such as the simple fact of carrying a book to stop and fully be part of the city, with no anxiety of needing to rush to the next tourist stop.
Dinner at Farol de Santa Luzia
After that perfect slow evening is time to have a good dinner before heading back home to rest for the evening.
And luckily, you can find a great meal just a few steps away at Farol de Santa Luzia, a Portuguese restaurant running since 1973, serving classic dishes in a small cave-feeling space with friendly service and tasty food.
Try the shrimp and mussels Portuguese-style risotto for a hearty and flavorful meal, which goes perfectly with a glass of local Vinho Verde.
Day 3: Belem and LX Factory
Breakfast at the OG Pasteis de Belem
Continuing our pasteis-de-nata-tasting adventure, for the last morning of your 3 days in Lisbon, make your way to Belem, to begin the day with the iconic Pasteis de Belem.
Paisteis de Belem is where the first pasteis de nata were invented before the 18th century, by the Catholic monks of the nearby Jeronimos Monastery. It is said that they still use the same recipe to this day.
The line is long, but the service is fast and efficient when you order to go, however, you will have to wait a bit longer if you want to enjoy the pasteis at their cafe.
If you don’t want to wait long in line, pick up a box of pasteis and head over to the park Jardim Vasco da Gama across the street, where you can peacefully enjoy them on a bench.
Morning exploring Belem
After checking this unique thing to do in Lisbon off your list, it is time to explore the main sights in the area, such as the visually stunning Jeronimos Monastery, for which you will want to book in advance.
An unmissable thing to do in Lisbon during your 3-day trip is to visit the medieval Belem Tower, a significant point in Portugal’s history from where many ships set sail to explore the world.
The eye-catching tower looks like something straight out of Game of Thrones.
Another unmissable thing—which I sadly did miss— is the MAAT, a uniquely futuristic-looking museum by the edge of the water, which you can catch a glimpse of on your way to the next stop.
Shopping and lunch at LX Factory
An alternative thing to do in Lisbon during your 3-day trip is to visit the eclectic LX Factory, a historic industrial complex turned arty shopping center, complete with a handful of bars and restaurants.
Exploring the unique and creative shops is a unique thing to do in Lisbon, and here you will easily find somewhere to grab a bite to eat, like 1300 Taberna, if all those paistes de nata are wearing off.
Afternoon in Baixa, Lisbon’s Historic City Center
To end any trip I always like to be back in the main area of the city, or whatever was my favorite area. Another aspect I love about prioritizing slow travel is that I am not shy to repeat locations if I really like them.
So for the last evening in the city, make your way back to Baixa and give another round to the busy streets of the Historic Center, while maybe picking up a few last-minute souvenirs you didn’t get on that first day.
Drink at Ginjihna Sem Rival
One of the things you must do in Lisbon during your 3-day stay is to try Ginjihna, a local sour-cherry-based liquor, typically enjoyed as an aperitif or as a digestive.
There are a few specialized bars sprinkled around the Historic City Center, but we ended up trying Ginjihna Sem Rival and loved it!
Don’t be fooled by the sound of cherry-based liquor, it is punchy but tasty.
PS: Sip it, don’t shoot it!
Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro
Again, do as I say and not as I do, and make sure to book your dinners in advance as that is the only way to secure the best meals in Lisbon.
One place I really wanted to try and completely missed out on is Cervejeria Ramiro, a relaxed seafood eatery, loved by locals and tourists alike.
Locals recommended it to me, Anthony Bourdain recommended it, so do better than me and make sure to book it as far in advance as possible.
I know for a fact that I will be going back to Lisbon in a couple of months, and I will 100% not be making that same mistake.
That is all for our slow travel itinerary for the perfect 3 days in Lisbon!
There are so many other incredible things to do and see in Lisbon, but I am confident that this itinerary encapsulates the essence of Lisbon and most of the main sights to see during 3 days in this unique city, without needing to rush and exhaust yourself.
Hope you found this slow travel itinerary for 3 days in Lisbon useful!
Do you have any other Lisbon must-do activities during a 3-day trip that we might have skipped on this itinerary? Let us know in the comments.